Monday, April 8, 2013

Far Beyond a Distant Sun - Live in Arlington Texas is Captain Beyond's only official live album to date. It was recorded in 1973 (but wasn't officially released until 2002), after the release of Sufficiently Breathless, with the four original member reuniting for a brief tour before Rod Evans leaves. The album was recorded at the University of Texas at Arlington in support of King Crimson.Tracklist01."Intro/Distant Sun" – 6:3302."Drifting in Open Space" – 4:0403."Pandora's Box/1000 Days of Yesterday" (Rod Evans, Bobby Caldwell) – 14:5504."Dancing Madly Backwards" (Evans, Caldwell) – 18:1505."Mesmerization Eclipse" (Evans, Caldwell) – 18:0506."Stone Free" (Jimi Hendrix) – 5:21

After leaving Deep Purple, Rod Evans recorded a solo single for Capitol, then went on to form Captain Beyond, along with former Johnny Winter drummer Bobby Caldwell, former Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, who also was part of the last incarnation of Iron Butterfly. This band proved to be very influential, but sales never reflected their musical achievements. Lack of commercial success ended the group after three albums.

Recorded live at Arlington, Texas in 1973 with original line-up, this live album features all classic CB tracks like Dancing Madly Backwards, Distant Sun, Mypopic Void etc. plus an excellent guitar solo from Rhino & a fantastic drum solo by Bobby Caldwell and lastly, a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's Stone Free. This is definitive CB live in concert & by far, the best sounding live bootleg by them (there's no official live album of Captain Beyond). Rod Evans reaps through this set while Rhino & Bobby Caldwell are consistent as ever. This gig shows the real dynamics of the band & proves how great they were in live settings. What a combination of energy and sophistication! The music is well thought out--it's classy, but tailored... knock your socks off. Sad that Captain Beyond didn't last long, but their impact on today's heavy prog/stoner rock revivalists is evident..